Electric-elevator system.



PATENTED APR. 3, 1906. I

A. MAGNUSON. ELECTRIC ELEVATOR SYSTEM.

ATTORNEY 2 SHEETS-SHE}! 1.

APPLICATION FILED IAY23, 1905.

'PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

A. MAGNUSON. ELECTRIC ELEVATOR SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1905.

2 sums-SHEET 2.

35 comprises-a motor 11 an a 16 is also attache to t UNITED STATES PATENT eries.

AXEL MAGNUSON, OF NEW YORK, n. Y.,-ASS1G NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC-ELEVATOR SYS EM;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 23, 1905. Serial Ho. 261,808.

Patented. A r l a, 1905.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AXEL MAGNUSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York 5 and State of New York, have made certain new and useful Im rovements in Electric- Elevator Systems, which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric elevators;

-IO and its object is to provide an improved sys- Iwill describe an electric-elevator system made according to my present invention and point out the novel features thereof in claims. 2 Referring to the drawings, Fi ure 1 is. a diagram of an electric elevator, showing the various circuits and certain parts of the ap- I paratus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, mostly in section, of a spedal brake. Fig. 3 is a side 0 elevation of an improved magnetically-actuated switch. Fig. 4 shows a'detail of wiring. Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in alLof the figures.

designates a. hoistin apparatus which av winding-drum 1 2, which are connected together by suitable gearing which is Within a casing 13.

14 designates. the motor-shaft, to which is attached a brakeulley 15. Another pulley iis shaft 14- 17 designates an elevator-car which is connected to the winding-drum 12 by means of a cable 17. 18 is a counterweight which is connected to the winding-drum by another 45 cable 18.

2O designates a brake-band which is arranged to be tightened about the brake-pulley by means of-a spring 21 through a wellknown form of connecting mechanism. It is 50 arranged to be released from the pulley by electromagnets. 22 and 23, which will be described more fully hereinafter.

is a generator connected to run with the hoisting apparatus. It is here shown with a a belt 33.

or circuit-closer100 in the elevator-car.- conductor is connected to a stationa con- 105 pulley 32 attached to' its shaft 31.,an'd con- 55 nected to the pulley 16 on the motor-shaft 40 and are switches for starting the elevator in one direction or the. other. and con stitute a reversing-switch for. the motor 1 1-. 6o 60, 70, 80, and 90 are accelerating-magnets which are arranged to control the accelera tion of the motor and-the elevator in starting and sto ping.

I wil now trace, the various electrical circuits which are shown in the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1,2, and3 designate mains leading from a suitable source ofialten,

hating-current supply. They pass through.

a transformer 400 and a switch 401 and thence to the various parts of the apparatus, as is shown b heavy llnes in the diagram. 1 passes toan is connected to insulated contacts 41 and 51 on the swin arms 42 52 of the reversing-switch.' T es'e,arms are '75 pivoted, respectiveg, at 44 and .54.? The other main 2 goes 'rectly to the'motor 11 and is connected to its central terminalsll The motor-terminal 11 is connecte d jto the stationar contacts 45 and 56 of the revers- 8o ing-switc ,and the motor-terminal 11 is connected to the stationary contacts .46 and 55 of the reversing-switch. It is evident, than, that when the insulated contacts 41 and 43 V are moved over against the stationarycon- 5 tacts 45.and 46 or the insulated contacts 51 and 53 are moved over against. the stationary contacts 55 and 56 the main line is connected to the motor in such a way that the current will pass through the motor in one'direc- 0 tion or the other, and this will cause the motor to rotate in one direction or theotlierf. ;I will now show how the swinging arms .42 and 52 are operated. A conductor'2 is eonpected to one of the mains 2 and runs toastatlon- 5 ary contact 2 which is in electrical connection with a similarcontact 2, because the two contacts are bridged b a plate 91', controlled by the acce eratinganagnet in a manner which will be fully shown later. we From contact 2 a circuit is continued through a conductor 2 to a point 2 and thence by 2 to a manually-controlled swith tact-segment 102 in the car-switch. ecarswitch is provided with a pivoted arm105, which carries a plate 101,;wh1ch may-be moved to the right or left at will, and thereby contacts 46.

made to brir'ge the segment 102 and "either one of two other stationary contact-segments 103 or 104:. lf'the arm 105 is mover to the rigit a circuit will thereby be established ch will include theconductors just pointed out and will extend through the car-switch and through a conductor 2, through the winding of an alternating-current magnet 47A When the contacts 43 46 come together, they close a circuit through the winding of the brake magnet 23 ,which circuit be 'ns atcontact 2, which is now connects with the main Zthrou h contact-plate 91 and conductor g". T 's circuit extends through a conductor 23, the winding of the magnet 23, and through a conductor 23 to the conductdrwhich connects the motor-terminal 11 to the stationary contact 45, which, is now in electrical connection with the insulated contact 41, and therefore completes the circuit to the main 1. The magnet 23 will thus become'energized and will release the brake by attracting its core and compressing the spring 21, which is shown in Fig. 2. This will leave the motor free to rotate and it will actuate the. hoisting mechanism, and the motor will then cause the car to travel. In the drawings circuits which carry alternatingcurrents are indicated by solid lines. If the o erator should move the pivoted arm 105 to t e left, theoperation would be similar but in this case circuits would have been closed across the contact-segments 102 and 104, through conductor 2, winding of magnet 57 and conductor 2 to. the main 3 at 2", and the pivoted arm 52, with its insulated contacts, would have beenmovedr This would cause the to have been connected to the motor in the opposite we and would cause the motor to rotate and t e car to travel in the opposite direction. Thus it will-appear that an operator in the car may by means of the car-switch 100 cause the car to. travel up or.

Now as sc on as-tlie motor 11 to rotate it will drive the generator II ough its connecting mechanism. fflhis'. enera'tor 30- 'may be of any desired is pew 'ch may be adaptable for generating rect currents. "It

nlay, for exam e, bea magneto or a series dynamo er a sunt-woun d amo. The latterisa preferred type an is the kind When the pivots its contacts, the armature-leads 36 and 37 will be connected thereby to the field-tor minals and 35 respectively; but when of the motor 30 increases.

' erases shown in the drawings. it will, oi -course,

have a speed proportional to that of the mo-. tor 11, which drives it, and will consequently generate a voltage proportional to the speed of this motor. make use or this direct current of variable pressure to control the acceleration of the motor in starting and stopping and to perform certain other functions in connection with my presentinvention, some of which I will now point out. It will be noted that in the diagrams all oi'the circuits which.

are used to es the direct current are indicated by light ines composed of dots and dashes. in the first,'place Twill point out the purpose of thecontacts which are shown directly below the reversing-switch 50, re-

ierring artic'ular'l to Fig. '4. in this diagram, ig. 4, 34 esignates thearrnature of the generator 30, and 35 designates a shunt-..

field. 36 and 37 are leads from the armature of the generator, and these are connected, respectively, to the insulated contacts 201 205'and 203 the lower part of the pivoted arms 42 and 52. One of the leads35 from the shunt-field 35 is connected to the stationary contacts 204;

and 206, and the other lead 35 is connected to the stationar arm 42 is moved to close the pivoted arm.52'is moved to close its contacts the armature-leads 36 and 3'? will be connected thereby to the field-terminals 35 and 35 respectively. In this way the shuntfield connections will be reversed through the reversing-switch but asthe reversing-switch will cause the motor, and consequently the generator, this will insure the current generated in the armature of the generator to flow always in the same direction, regardless of the direction of rotation of the armature. Referring now to Fig. 1, 300 designates a resistance or other 3pflosition element in the motorcircuit.

s may be connected, as shown, to-the rotor v11. by leads e01, 302, and 303, which are connected to the outer points of the resistance, as shown at 301, 302', and-303'. The resistance 300 is arranged to be shortcircuited step by step in four steps byaccelcrating-magnets 60,170, 80,

and are arranged to actuate certain contacts successively as the current in the generator be obtained ing with a shown. They across the main from the generator,

b$roviding each magnet-Win erent number of turns,

so that as the voltage increases the magnets will be actuated thereby inthe following order: 6Q, 70, and 90. Each of these magnets is provided with a core, as at 64, and each core to rotate in opposite directions arranged to-be connected 207, which are mounted upon contacts 202' and 20s.

and 90. These ma nets each comprise a core and a wind: I 20 This successive actuation may carries u on it an insulated contact-plate, as at 61. Vhen each magnet is energized, it lifts its core and raises its attachedcontactplate up against stationary contacts, which are shown above and are connected to the resistance. I will now trace the rest of the direct-current circuits which are shown on the diagram and are desi nated by light lines comosed of dots and ashes. The main 37 is ed to the car-switch and is connected to a segmental contact 106. Abridgin -plate 107 on the pivoted arm105 rests upon t is contact and is arranged to connect it with other stationary contacts when itis moved to one side or the other. When it is moved to the left,it willfirst connect contact 106 with contact 108. A circuit will thereby be closed through conductor 37, winding of direct-current magnet 48 to the other main 36. At the same time a circuit will also be closed through conductors 37 A 37, directcurrent magnet 22 on the brake, contacts 46 and 43 to the. other main 36. These two magnets 48 and 22 will then become energized and will cooperate with magnets 47 and 23 to hold their parts firmly in place and to thus prevent any chattering which might be produced by the alternatin current. If the plate 107 had been moved onto contact 108, the result would have been similar; but in this case the magnets 58 and 22 would have had their circuits closed. A further movement of plate 107 to the left or right will bring it onto contacts 109 or 109. These contacts are connected together and through the conductor 37 to the upper terminals 63 and 73' of magnets and 70. The lower terminals 64, 74, 84, and 94 of all of these four magnets are connected to the other main 36. These two magnets 60 and will then have their windings connected across the mains of the generator 30. A still further movement-of plate 107 will bring it onto contact 110 or 110. These are connected together and to the upper terminals 83 and 93 of magnets and by the conductor 37, so that all of the four accelerating-magnets will now be connected across the mains from generator 30. Of course an opposite movement of plate 107 will first cut out magnets 80 and 90, then magnets 60 and 7 0, and finally the reversing-switch ma nets 48 or 58, and through their action the rake-magnet 22. At this point I will showthat springs 42 and 52 are provided to bring the pivoted arms 42 and 52 back to their initial position whenever current is cut off from their actuating-magnets. Adjustable stops 42 and 52 may also be provided to limit this movement. W'henever tne car-switch is moved back to its central position, it will not only cut oil the direct current in the circuits just shown, but will also cut oil the alternating currents which it controls by its upper contacts.

These alternatingcurrent circuits which have already been traced are connected across two of the three mains, and ma there fore-be arranged to carry only a sing e-phase current, no matter what the phase of the mains may be. Of course pulsating or intermittent currents may be used in this system with like results to that obtained from alter-- nating currents.

I have formerly shown that the alternating-current circuits ass through contacts 2 and 2 and 2 whic are bridged by a plate 91, insulated from but attached to the core of magnet 90. It will now be seen that when the direct current has obtained sufficient strength to cause the magnet 90 to be actuated the alternating-current currents in the reversing-switch and brake magnets will thereby be cut oil. This is a preferred arrangement, as it is merely a matter of adjustment to arrange this operation to take only when the direct current has attained suilicient strength to hold the reversingswitch closed and the brake released. A separate magnet may be provided for this purpose, if desired.

In Fig. 2 it may be seen that the directcurrent magnet 22 has a solid core 22' and that the core 23 of the alternating-current magnet 23is laminated. A similar construc tion is shown at 48 and 47 of Fig. 3, which shows two of the actuating-magnets of the reversing-switch.

In Fig. 1 conductors are shown leadin to the elevator-car 17. These may be flexibly connected to the car in a well-known manner.

This invention is applicable to many forms of electric elevators. One of its principal advantages is that it provides a completely automatic system of control and yet makes it possible for the operator in the car to positively control the various automatic dev1ces at will. The operator can control the acceleration of the car in starting and can slow it down before stop ing.

I use in some 0 the claims the expression constant in value in connection with the current in the mains. This, of course, means a current of practically constant value, such as is usually found in power-mains.

I have shown and described my system as applied to alternating-current elevators; but it may be applied also to direct-current ele vators.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an elevator the combination of a hoisting mechanism, a movable car connected thereto, a stationary alternating-current motor for actuating the hoisting mechanism, an external source of current-supply, a second source of current-supply, dependent upon themotion oi the hoisting mechanism, suitable electrical circuits, and a switch in the car arranged to control the movement of the car by controlling both current-supplies.

2. In an elevator system the combination ofa car, two electric machines, one adapted to propel or drive the car, the other to generate a current in proportion to the the car, automatic means for control acceleration of the car by said generate cur- ,rent, a manually operated switch in the cars eed of fin the arranged to start and stop said first electric -mach1ne and to directly control said auto.-

I out the pulsating current. v 4. In an elevator system, a motor and amatic controlling means.

3. In anelevator system, a motor, a reversing-switch for the motor, two sources of current-supply one oi which is pulsating and is arranged to close the reversing-switch, the other of which is direct and is arranged to hold the reversing-switch in closed position, means for controlling the two current-supplies, and means for automatically cutting car, a reversing-switch for the motor, two

sources of current-supply, one of which is pulsatingand constant in value and is arranged to close the reversing-switclr tostart the motor, the other of which is direct and proportional in strength to the speed of the car and is arranged to hold the reversingswitch inclosed position while the car is running, a switch in the car for controlling both current.

the pulsating and direct currents, and means i or automatically 5. In -an elevatorsystem, a motor and a 'car, a. reversing-switch for the motor, two

the pulsating sources of current-supply, one of which is pulsating and constant in value and is ar- '-ranged to close the reversing-switch to start the motor, the other of which is direct and proportional in strength to the speed of the car and is arranged to .hold the reversingswitch in closed position while the car is running, a switch in the carfor controlling both and direct currents, and means for automatically cutting out the pulsating current when the direct current reaches a predetermined strength.

1" *6. In an elevator system, an alternating 1 current motor, a source of alternating-cur-- rent supply, an electromagnetically-actuated reversing-sw tch for the motor, a single-phase (current. arranged to close the reversingswitch and a direct current arran ed to ho theireversin -switch, and means or cutting revers ng-switch for the motor,

' out the sing rent, and means for automatlcal e-phase current after. the motor has started. 1

cutting out the pulsating 7. In an elevator system, an alternating-;

current motor, a source of alternating-current supply, an electroma etically-actuated asmgle-phase current arran ed to close the reversin switch and a a the reversing-switch, a manual y-operated switch for controlling the single-phase cury cutting direct current arra'n edto ho d" erases out the single-phase current after the motor hasstarted'.

s. The combination with an alteriiating current motor, a reversing-switch therefor, a v

generator connected to run with the'motorand arranged to produce a direct current pro-. portional in strength to the speed of the motor, means for controlling the motor by the direct current thus produced, and means on the reversing-switch for causing thegeneratorto roduce its current in the same direction'w en the generator is run in one direc tion or the other. K

9. In an elevator system, an alternatingcurrent motor, a source of alternating-current supply, a generator connected to run with the motor and arranged to'produce a direct current proportional in strength to the speed of the motor, an electroresponsive dev1ce for controlling the acceleration of the motor, said electroresponsive device being actuated by the direct current, and a manually-operated switch for directl controlling the direct-current circuit to t e electroresponsive device.- i I 10. In combination with a hoisting apparatus, an electric brakehaving two windings,

one adapted-for alternating currents and arranged to release'the brake, the other adapt-v ed ordirect currents and arranged to hold" the'brake in released position. i

11. In combination Witlfl' a ratus, an electric brake therefor, an external source of current-supply arranged to release the brake in starting the appaiatuaand an hoisting appaindependent source of current-supply gener-v ated by the .movement of the apparatus and arranged to co" erate with said first source of supply in 1101 ing the brake in released position;

12. In combination with a hoisting apparatus, an electric brake therefor, an external source of current-supply. arranged to release the brake before starting the apparatus, and aninde endent source oi current-supply generated y the movementof the apparatus and arran ed to hold the brake in released position w 'Ie the apparatus is running.

13. In combinationwith a hoisting apparatus, an alternating-current motor for riving the same, a source of alternating-current supply, an electric brake, a reversing-switch for applying the alternating current to the motor and to the brake, a direct current generated by the movement of the motor and arranged to cooperate with the alternating current to actuate the brake.

17. In combination with a hoisting a pa-.

ratus, an alternating-current motor for riving the same, a source of alternating-current supply, an electric brake, a reversing-switch for applying the alternating current to the motor and to the brake, a direct current enerated by the movement of the motor an arranged to cooperate with the alternating current to actuate the brake, and a manuallyoperated switchfor controlling the reversingswitch.

18. In combination with a hoisting appa- -ratus, an electric motor, a source of currentsupply, an electric brake for the apparatus, and a generator driven by the apparatus and arranged to control the acceleration of the motor and to hold the brake inreleased position While the motor is running.

19. In an elevator system, an alternatingcurrent motor, a source of alternating-current supply, a generator connected to run with the motor and arranged to produce a direct current proportional in strength to the speed of the motor, a brake and a startingswitch for the motor, both of which are actuated by a single-phase current in starting and by the direct current after starting the motor, an electroresponsive device actuated by the direct current for controlling the acceleration of the motor, and a manually-operated switch whereby the starting, stop in and acceleration of the elevator is controlled.

20. In an elevator system, a car, an alternating-current motor, a source of alternating-current supply, a generator connected to run with the motor and arranged to produce a direct current proportional in strength to the speed of the motor, a brake and a starting-switch for the motor, both of which are actuated by the alternating current in starting the motor and are held by the direct current after the motor has started, an electro-- responsive device actuated by the direct ourrent for controlling the acceleration of the motor and arranged to cut off the alternat- I ing current from the brake and the s'tartin switch, and a manually-operatedcar switc whereby the brake, the starting-switch and the electrores onsive device are controlled.

21. In an e evator system, a car, an alternating-current motor, a source of alternating-current supply, a generator connects to run with the motor and arranged to produce a direct current proportional in strength tothe speed of the motor, a brake and a'start ing-switch for the motor both of which are actuated by the alternatin current in start ing the motor and are held y the direct rent after the motor has started, an electro responsive device com rising a series of electromagnets actuated y the direc current for controlling the acceleration of t e motor step by step, one of which is arran ed to cut off the alternating current from/glue brake and the startin -switch, and a m nuan"'-, operated car-switch whereby the hrak eft e starting-switch and the electrorespo nsive device are controlled.

22. In an electric-elevator system, a car, a hoisting apparatus connected thereto, ar1 a l ternating-current motor for actuating the hoisting apparatus, an opposition element in the motor-circuit,-a source of alternatingcurrent supply, a generator connected to run with the apparatus and arranged to produce a direct current proportional "in strength to the s eed of the car, a brake, a reversi g switc alternatin '-current circuits and rect-current circui s for the brake and the reversing-switch, an electrores onsive device comprisin a plurality of electromagnets actuated by t e direct current for control ling the acceleration of the motor step step by removing the opposition element from the motor-circuit, one of said magnets being arranged to cut of? the alternating current from the brake and the reversinge switch, and a manually-operated switch-in the car for controlling the alternating-current circuits and the direct-current circuits and thereby controlling the starting, stopping and acceleration of the car,

23. In an elevator system, an alternatingcurrent motor, a source of alternating-current supply, an electromagnetically-actuated reversing-switch for themotor, the alternating current arranged to close the reversingswitch, a direct current arran ed to hold the reversing-switch, and means or cutting out the actuating alternating current from the reversing-switch after the motor has started.

24. In an elevator system, an alternatingcurrent motor, a source of alternating-current supply, an electromagnetically-actuated reversing-switch for the motor, the alternating current arranged to close the reversing-switch, a direct current arranged to hold the reversing -='-switch-, a manually operated switch for controlling the alternating current, and means for automatically cutting out the alternating current after the motor has'st'arted;

25. In combination with an electric motor, a reversing-switch therefor, a generator connected to run with the motor and arranged to produce a current proportional in strength ac to the speed of the'-motor,.means,for controltroresponsive device for controlling the acceleration of the motory'said electrorespon sive device being actuated by the current produced by said generator, suitable circuits as therefor, and a manulall -operated switch for directly controlling t e circuitslto the ele'ctroresponsive device. g

27. In an elevator. system, anelectric mo tor, a" source of'current-supply, a. generator go'connected. to run'withth'e motor and arradto produce a current proportional in.

strength to the speed of the motor, an electroresponsive device for controlling the accoloration of the motor, said electrorespon- 3'5 sive device'being actuated by the current produced bysaid generator, suitable circuits therefor, and a manually-operated switch arranged to cut in or out a part or all of the electroresponsive device at will.

4o A controlling de'vicefor an elevatorerases motor, astationary motor, a source or our rent-supply connected thereto and adapted to start the motor and todrive themotor, a

movable car, an electric generator connected v centre, the controllingdevice to control the starting, the speed, the reversing andthe stopping of the elevator mechanism.

29. In an elevator-controlling mechanism of the class described, an external source of supply constant in value, saidsource adapted to start and drive the elevator mechanism, another source of supplyobtained only after the elevator has started and proportional in value to the speed of the elevator mechanism, an elevator-car, a .manually- 6o operated switch in the elevator-car, contacts in the switch-wires connected to the carand adapted to travel with thecar, said wires be ing directly connected to the various 'contacts in thecar'-switch and also directlyconnected to the motor-controlling means, some of said wires carrying thecircuits for the external source of supply .and'some carrying the circuits for the source of supply generated by the movement of the elevator mechgo i anism andbeing adaptedto conjointly communicate the operatlonirom the car-switch to the motor-controller.

Inwitness whereof I have-signed my name I to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. w

AXnL AcNUsoN. Witnesses: Y I I I HnNn r: E. Kmnv,

Ennnsrf W. SHALL. 

